The Clinton City Council approved measures to aid two new companies to open operations in the city.
In one matter-the council considered rezoning 623 South First Street and an adjacent parcel for United Machine. John Balkema, of United Machine, says they work with companies like John Deere and Caterpillar in supplying parts. He says the building would be used as warehouse to start.
Balkama says work at the building will not be a smokestack type operation as they expand.
The council approved the rezoning of the site.
It is noted in the background notes the employment would start small and grow according to demand.
In a second action the council supported the incentives for a new high-tech company to locate with ADM in South Clinton. The city’s share of the incentives is 200-thousand dollars if the firm meets the development guidelines after five years.
Laste week it was announced the Japanese based firm – Spiber –which manufactures a thread using materials from ADM that can be used in many including clothing would their first U-S site in Clinton. The state incentive package -including the local portion is one million dollars.
Clinton Mayor Scott Maddasion said state development officials note the jobs may be small to start by it’s an important company to have in the state.
City Administrator Matt Brooke says the local portion will be the sale of some land in South Clinton. He believes the firm will not have any problems in meeting the development goals.
The Council approved the local incentive package.
In another business related action, the council set a public hearing for the next meeting on a development agreement with Timpkin Drives. The plan includes some property tax incentives for some infrastructure work around their new Clinton location. The firm is already using the former Evergreen Plant site and adding employees.
